By Joe Wright

Denver Nuggets guard Nate Robinson is determined to live up to the diminutive Argentine by being "the best little guy in basketball"

NBA star Nate Robinson is set to wear the No.10 shirt this season in honor of Barcelona ace Lionel Messi.

Robinson, 29, recently joined the Denver Nuggets after leaving the Chicago Bulls, but his preferred No.2 shirt is retired at his new team in honor of Nuggets legend, Alex English.

Robinson will take Messi's Barcelona number for the coming campaign, claiming his goal is to become "the best little guy in the NBA" just as the diminutive attacker has established himself at the pinnacle of world football. Despite his 5'9" frame, Robinson became the first player to win the NBA Slam Dunk contest three times.

"I usually dig the single digit numbers, but No.2 is retired," he told Denver Stiffs. "I'm going to change it up and wear No.10. I'm going to wear it for Messi, that's my favorite soccer player.

"I've been playing a lot of FIFA lately and watching the games. He's the best little guy to do it and I've got to be the best little guy to do it at No.10 in the NBA. That's my goal."

Messi is currently with the Barcelona squad preparing for Friday's friendly with Santos and is the recent winner of the Goal 50 award.